LONDON • A man who stabbed a passenger at a London underground train station in December, while shouting that he was acting for Syria, was convicted yesterday of attempted murder, police said.

Muhaydin Mire, 30, of East London, beat his victim, forced him to the ground and kicked his head before attempting to cut his neck, leaving the man with a 12cm gash that required five hours of surgery.

The attack at Leytonstone Tube station was investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which said that Mire was inspired by extremist ideology, but did not press for terrorism charges.

Mire, who also tried to attack several other people during the incident, had pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted wounding, but denied trying to kill his victims.

A jury at London's Old Bailey court found him guilty of one count of attempted murder. He will be sentenced next month.

Several people filmed the incident using their phones, which helped the prosecution, police said.

Some of the footage was posted on the Internet shortly after the attack, including images of a bystander shouting, "You ain't no Muslim, bruv", a phrase which circulated widely and was applauded by British Prime Minister David Cameron.

After stabbing his first victim, Mire walked out of the station and back in again, lashing out at people with his knife on at least four occasions and chasing one victim who was filming his actions.

Police said a doctor present at the scene rushed to help the victim as he lay bleeding, while onlookers talked to Mire to hold his attention and restrict his movements. They confined Mire until police arrived and used Taser stun guns to disarm him.

REUTERS